Ecclesiastes 9:1-6 ▼

1 In light of all of this, I committed myself to explain it this way: the righteous and the wise, along with everything they do, are in the hands of God. Furthermore, as to love and hate, no human being knows everything concerning them.

2 Everyone shares the same experience: a single event affects the righteous, the wicked, the good, the clean, the unclean, whoever sacrifices, and whoever does not sacrifice. As it is with the good person, so also it is with the sinner; as it is with someone who takes an oath, so also it is with someone who fears taking an oath.

3 There is a tragedy that infects everything that happens on earth: a common event happens to everyone. In fact, the hearts of human beings are full of evil. Madness remains in their hearts while they live, and afterwards they join the dead.

4 |While someone is among the living, hope remains,| because |it is better to be a living dog than to be a dead lion.|

5 At least the living know they will die, but the dead know nothing; they no longer have a reward, since memory about them has been forgotten.

6 Furthermore, their love, their hate, and their envy have been long lost. Never again will they have a part in what happens on earth.